Updated 21.30
STEPHEN ROCHFORD HAS named his side to face Monaghan in their league opener on Saturday, including two league starting debuts.
Castlebar Mitchels’ Donie Newcombe starts at corner back, while 2016 All-Ireland U21 winner Fergal Boland takes up his position in the half-forward line.
The team has seven survivors from the side which started the All Ireland final replay defeat to Dublin — Keith Higgins, Paddy Durcan, Colm Boyle, Donal Vaughan, Kevin McLoughlin, Jason Doherty and Cillian O’Connor, while David Clarke and Stephen Coen both appeared off the bench.
Meanwhile, Monaghan have included six members of last year’s Ulster U21 football winning team in their squad for Saturday’s Allianz football league clash with Mayo.
Attacker Conor McCarthy starts at corner-forward while on the bench there are five other players who won the 2016 provincial U21 decider against Tyrone.
Conor Forde, James Mealiff, Mikey Murnaghan, Ryan McAnespie and Barry McGinn are all named on the bench.
Manager Malachy O’Rourke has selected a team of experienced figures with the Wylie brothers and Colin Walshe in defence while Darren and Kieran Hughes form a midfield partnership.
In attack Karl O’Connell and two-time All-Star Conor McManus are both selected.
Mayo
1. David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites)
2. Donie Newcombe (Castlebar Mitchels)
3. Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis)
4. Paddy Durcan(Castlebar Mitchels)
5. Colm Boyle (Davitts)
6. Stephen Coen (Hollymount/Carramore)
7. David Drake (Ballaghaderreen)
8. Donal Vaughan (Ballinrobe)
9. Danny Kirby (Castlebar Mitchels)
10. Fergal Boland (Aghamore)
11. Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore)
12. Jason Doherty (Burrishoole)
13. Evan Regan (Ballina Stephenites)
14. Alan Freeman (Aghamore)
15. Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber, Capt)
No substitutes’ names have been provided as of yet.
Monaghan
1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown)
2. Fintan Kelly (Clones)
3. Drew Wylie (Ballybay)
4. Ryan Wylie (Ballybay)
5. Colin Walshe (Doohamlet)
6. Neil McAdam (Monaghan Harps)
7. Kieran Duffy (Latton)
8. Darren Hughes (Scotstown)
9. Kieran Hughes (Scotstown)
10. Karl O’Connell (Tyholland)
11. Shane Carey (Scotstown)
12. Gavin Doogan (Magheracloone)
13. Conor McCarthy (Scotstown)
14. Thomas Kerr (Ballybay)
15. Conor McManus (Clontibret)
Subs
16. Conor Forde (Scotstown)
17. James Mealiff (Clones)
18. Owen Coyle (Latton)
19. Brian Greenan (Clontibret)
20. Mikey Murnaghan (Donaghmoyne)
21. Niall Kearns (Seán Mac Diarmada)
22. Dermot Malone (Castleblayney)
23. Owen Duffy (Latton)
24. Ryan McAnespie (Emyvale)
25. Stephen Finnegan (Donaghmoyne)
26. Barry McGinn (Doohamlet)
The piece was updated accordingly when the Kerry team news was announced.
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I’d say McGinn will start for Monaghan, to take the win here would be a massive step in retaining our Div1 status. #muineachanabu
Was Danny Kirby a sub for Castlebar against Corofin in the connacht semi final?
‘The piece was updated accordingly when the Kerry team was announced’… not updated enough apparently